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A special prosecutor will be called on to decide whether charges will be filed against former Omaha Fire Chief Robert "Rob" Dahlquist.
Dahlquist was arrested Sunday morning on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence in connection with an assault on his wife.
Dahlquist, 51, was taken to the Douglas County Correctional Center and held on $50,000 bail. He paid 10 percent, $5,000, and was released Sunday afternoon.
According to an Omaha Police Department report, officers were called to Clarkson West Medical Center near 144th Street and West Center Road about 6:30 p.m. Saturday to investigate an assault.
The officers spoke to Pamela Dahlquist, 52, who told them that she had been assaulted by her husband at their home on Thursday evening. The report indicates that the officers took photos of Pamela Dahlquist's injuries, but no details about them were made public.
Police booked Rob Dahlquist into jail at 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
Rob Dahlquist and Pamela Dahlquist have been married about 27 years. Pamela Dahlquist is a civil attorney for Douglas County.
Since she works for the Douglas County Attorney's office, Chief Deputy Sarpy County Attorney Tricia Freeman will handle the case to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
Charges had not been filed as of late Monday morning. It was not known when a decision would be made, said Chief Deputy Douglas County Attorney Brenda Beadle. His arraignment is scheduled for April 5.
Rob Dahlquist worked for the Fire Department for 26½ years. He joined the department in July of 1981 and climbed the chain of command while serving in various capacities, including emergency medical technician, arson investigator and hazardous materials response.
Former Mayor Mike Fahey appointed Dahlquist the city's fire chief in April of 2003, a position he held until his retirement in 2008.
Dahlquist receives an annual pension of $107,076 — the largest in the city's history.
As the head of the Fire Department, Dahlquist earned a base salary of $125,097. His pension is based upon his highest 12 months of wages, which was nearly $142,800.
Because Dahlquist had worked for the city for over 26 years, he qualified for the maximum pension payout under the contract at the time — 75 percent of his highest 12 months of wages.
He is the son of the late Horton Dahlquist, who served as Omaha’s fire chief in the mid-1980s, and the late Catherine Dahlquist, who was active in Democratic politics.
Contact the writer:
444-1272, kevin.cole@owh.com
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